107,931 Residents in Ontario County 40, 611 Residents over the age of 50 (Numbers courtesy of the Ontario County Office for the Aging and the U.S. Census...

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In 2010, there were:107,931 Residents in Ontario County 40, 611 Residents over the age of 50 (Numbers courtesy of the Ontario County Office for the Aging and the U.S. Census Bureau)

Ontario County's population is aging. With roughly 24 percent of its residents over 40, it has the third-fastest-growing senior population in the state.

Some of that growth has come through the aging of longtime residents; some has come from seniors who moved here because of the county's high quality of life. Eying the natural beauty of the region, plentiful housing options, nearby medical services and vacation-grade amenities, senior adults have selected Canandaigua and surrounding towns as their "chosen spot" to retire and enjoy the next season of their lives.

According to a report by the Center for Governmental Research, the number of county residents in the 60-to-84 bracket grew 42 percent between 2000 and 2011, and the number of residents 85 and older grew 59 percent — the highest growth rates in the region. The number of adults 40 to 59 years old also increased by 14 percent during that same period, making it the largest segment of the population, consistent with regional, state and national trends.

Growth in the senior population raced far ahead of that of the general population, with about 100,000 residents in 2000 increasing by 8 percent to 108,500 in 2011.

The Ontario County Office of the Aging's former director Helen Sherman, newly retired herself after nearly 27 years of service, believes Canandaigua and surrounding towns are an obvious choice for seniors.

"A lot of people who retired and left the area and went south — now that they're older they want to come back and be close to children or grandchildren," Sherman said.

Finances also may play a key role, she said.

"When the economy was much better, people were able to have a little place in Florida or somewhere south and have a little place here in the summer," said Sherman. "Now with the taxes and the economy they cannot afford to be paying on two homes, so they're downsizing to one place."

Why they're here

Melvin and Rachel Connell moved back to the area from North Carolina in 2010 to be near family and friends during their retirement years. The retired pastor and wife were 71 and 72 at the time.

"Mel experienced some serious health problems while living 800 miles from family," recalled Rachel. "Having worked here for seven years we knew this to be a desirable area to live."

They saw the benefits of being near family, friends, good medical care, church, shopping and hobby interests — Mel is an expert wood carver. The natural beauty of the area and variety of housing choices appealed to them as well, and they landed in Victor.

Now at 74 and 75, life in what they call "a smaller community" makes driving less stressful — something they appreciate at their age. At the same time, they're close enough to Rochester to take advantage of all it has to offer.

Galen and Betsey Stout moved to Canandaigua about six years ago from Wellsville, Allegany County. Previous visits — and grandchildren — sold them.

Page 2 of 4 - "The big reason was to be closer to our family," said Betsey. "We had visited the area many times and were impressed with the kind way we were treated by the people we met here. We also love the beauty of the lake and the city, availability of good shopping, health care, churches, restaurants and musical entertainment."

John J.R. Manley has lived all over, but in 1996 he planted his roots in Canandaigua.

"I have lived in Rochester most of my life but also in Atlanta, Cleveland and Dallas," said Manley. "Believe me, this is as far south as I ever want to go — been there, done that. No hurricanes, tornadoes, mudslides, floods, fires; just some snow in the winter."

Manley said he's traveled to most parts of the country and "nothing I have ever seen is as beautiful as the Finger Lakes, except maybe the Adirondacks — it's a tie."

Now at 70, Manley drives a school bus for the Canandaigua City School District, and loves his job.

"I will do it as long as they let me," said Manley. "Florida has no appeal whatsoever."

A place to call home

While some senior adults may opt for live-in situations with family, many choose from the 32 housing options spread across Ontario County.

No fewer than 27 independent living facilities are available to seniors county-wide, at varying price points. In Canandaigua, the going rate for one month's rent starts at $358 and goes up to $3,400. Victor and Farmington residents can expect to pay as little as $412 or as much as $1,400 and more.

For senior adults looking for extra services and amenities, two of the county's three enriched housing facilities are in Canandaigua. They provide personal care, meals, housekeeping, laundry, medication supervision, transportation and activities.

Adults who require amenities, services and 24-hour assistance will find what they need at Canandaigua's two adult residential facilities. There are three county-wide, as well as two assisted living facilities.

At 11 facilities, rates are adjusted to be 30 percent of an individual's or couple's income, with specific limitations on income amounts.

New developments like The Hammocks at Canandaigua on the corner of Bristol Road and West Street target all age groups, but end up drawing a strong contingent of senior adults. It shows in the numbers.

Assistant Manager Lena De Luca said in the two buildings newly opened in May and July, between 30 to 40 percent of residents are seniors. "It's new, condo-style luxury living," said De Luca. "It's far enough away to be quiet, but close to everything. It's peaceful."

The Hammocks amenities include a clubhouse, pool, fitness center and nine different floor plans to choose from. Rent is $900 to $1,425 a month. By the end of 2014, the complex will swell to eight buildings and 200 apartments.

Page 3 of 4 - Navigating the waters

While sparkling Canandaigua Lake may be the natural beauty that draws seniors here, it's not the only thing. The Ontario County Office of the Aging offers support and guidance to senior adults through what is often a very complicated life transition.

One of the challenges that stunned Helen Sherman when she retired in July was the number of health insurance choices.

"I worked for the Office for the Aging all those years, and I was so confused about what health insurance coverage to get," said Sherman.

She's not alone.

Irene Coveny, the county Office for the Aging's new director, said for those just retiring, some of the biggest issues are about health insurance and what programs they might be eligible for.

"Many need help understanding Medicare and the supplemental insurance policies," she said, and recommended that new retirees take advantage of HIICAP, the state-funded Health Insurance Information Counseling and Assistance Program available at the Office for the Aging.

"We sit down with a person for one or two hours, look at their income and recommend programs they may be eligible for," said Coveny.

Both Sherman and Coveny encouraged caregivers who are trying to take care of an aging parent to contact the office to get some support and get connected with resources.

This year alone the Office for the Aging served 6,951 clients, up 538 from the previous year, and received more than 14,960 information calls that came into NY Connects, up nearly 1,000 from the previous year.

The Office for the Aging is also adding another home-delivered meal route that will serve Farmington and Victor.

Age in place

Canandaigua City Supervisor Rich Russell described what he believes are the different needs and desires of senior adults in each age bracket as they relocate to the area.

"The 55-60 group is an active group and they want the amenities, health care, shopping — just an enjoyable experience," said Russell.

People transitioning into their later years — their late 80s and early 90s — like to know they are closer to the hospitals, physical therapists and medical community, Russell said. They want to stay in their own residences as long as possible, or "age in place."

"The quality of health care is such a key factor for seniors reaching their later years," said Russell, citing the length of time aging adults can remain mobile, thanks to medical science.

A type of medical alert system is also available for the vulnerable senior population who may not have family living in the area, Russell said. It's funded by the state and available through the Ontario County Office for the Aging, which also has a tool for reminding people to take their medications, he said.

Page 4 of 4 - "Those types of programs that help seniors 'age in place' are going to be much more prevalent going forward," said Russell, "because the state is supporting the fact that people want to stay in their home for as long as possible. I don't know too many people who are standing around saying, 'Gee, I can't wait until I move into a nursing home.'"

While the senior adult population is rising at a robust rate, Coveny noted, nursing home occupancies in the Finger Lakes region have declined since 1990, evidence that people prefer to live and get care in their own homes or communities.

On Aug. 1, Ontario County approved the sale of its 98-bed nursing home in Hopewell for $2 million to the privately owned Centers for Specialty Care Group LLC. That sale is on hold as a result of legal action on Aug. 15 by the Civil Service Employees Association, which claims the process in which the county pursued selling its nursing home is illegal.

Asset or liability?

Senior adults who have chosen Ontario County as their "chosen spot" have a lot to offer, Helen Sherman said. They are an asset because they're spending money and they're working hard.

"More and more people who retire are going back to work in a part-time capacity, whatever that might be," said Sherman. "They're finding out things are a little tighter than expected. And employers are really happy to get the older worker because they have a great work ethic, they're happy to have the job, they show up on time, they don't complain and they don't feel entitled. They're good, hard workers who have come up through the ranks."

That ethic translates well when it comes to volunteering.

Alice McConnell of West Bloomfield is a member of the Advisory Committee for the Office of the Aging and also volunteers with Meals on Wheels and Thompson Health.

"I feel that if I can give to the community, that's part of who I am," said McConnell. "I enjoy seeing people and talking to them when I deliver the meals. And at Continuing Care the people really enjoy your time with them. It's so much fun, just to see their faces."

In the process of trying to build a comfort care home in Canandaigua, Russell said the people who are most committed physically, emotionally and financially are senior adults. For them it's a labor of love.

Office for the Aging's Coveny said seniors have much to offer.

"Older people are definitely an asset to the community," she said. "Many may be coming because it's beautiful and we've got a lake and recreational facilities, but they also bring their talents and their volunteer hours and are looking to give something back to the community."